Congress
“It feels impossible to stay”: The U.S. needs wildland firefighters more than ever, but the federal government is losing them
Highly skilled firefighters are the last line of defense against wildfires, but that line is fraying because the government decided long ago that they’re not worth very much.
Lawmakers, employee groups call for a permanent increase in federal firefighter pay
Under current measures implemented by the Biden administration, federal wildland firefighters will face yet another “pay cliff” this fall.
Pentagon budget request aims to balance congressional limits, foreign needs, and innovation
“This should be the wake-up call that tells us we need to be buying different stuff,” one expert said.
Congress averts shutdown, locks in some agency cuts as Senate backs funding package
Lawmakers now face a March 22 shutdown deadline for the rest of government.
Biden uses State of the Union to paint Republicans as barriers
The president scolded former President Trump and House GOP lawmakers for scuttling a bipartisan plan to boost border agency staffing, and frequently touted governmental investments enacted without Republican support.
2 days before a shutdown, House sends $460B spending package to Senate
The measure, which would require small spending cuts at many agencies, heads to the Senate.
Congress' minibus spending deal could potentially avert firefighter pay cliff
Lawmakers have until Friday evening to pass the first of two spending packages that will run until Sept. 30.
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